Crosscourt: NBL coaches go ice cold on hot mics, why Goorj rebuffed Phoenix interest and latest news ahead of Round 8
NBL coaches’ sideline antics have become a big talking point in recent weeks amid several ‘hot mic’ moments. MICHAEL RANDALL and MATT LOGUE detail why the coaches want the NBL to make one big broadcast change in the latest edition of CROSSCOURT.
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Concerned NBL coaches want live in-game microphones scrapped, urging league officials to follow the NBA’s lead in delaying audio to allow for editing amid a surge in less-than-flattering hot mic moments during broadcasts.
A number of coaches are strongly against the live microphones, one saying he “hated” the live mics, while another called on the league to give more consideration to the game’s image.
Coaches have been caught on their microphones during the broadcast making disparaging comments at the referees or other players. On Sunday, Perth coach John Rillie was overheard calling South East Melbourne guard Nathan Sobey a “bad defender” during his team’s loss to the Phoenix.
Coaches spoke to Crosscourt on condition of anonymity.
“It’s not right. Sometimes you are saying stuff and you don’t know that you are on the mic,” one coach said.
“Sometimes what I say in the heat of battle isn’t for the public.
“I get the entertainment factor, it’s really important, but to mic up a coach is a concern and it’s becoming more apparent in recent weeks.”
Another coach said there was a need to strike a balance between that entertainment factor and mentors’ concerns.
He wants the NBL to delay the audio from coach’s microphones to allow for the editing out of swearing and any inner sanctum content not intended for viewers, just as the NBA does with its programming.
“Coaches should be made aware of time-outs being taken live — and not in the last two minutes of a game,” the coach said.
“They should not be live during the course of live play.”
NBL boss David Stevenson praised coaches for their willingness to engage with the league and media but backed the live mics as a tool to “bring fans closer to the game”.
“We want the fans at home to hear more of what happens on court and around the game,” Stevenson said.
“There’s always going to be times when you’re recording things or broadcasting them live that people would like to review but we’re thoughtful in what we put to air.
“If you know there’s a combustible moment, we’re not necessarily wanting to broadcast those.
“Generally speaking, I think the vast majority of the time, it’s a really great experience and brings the fans closer to the game.
“We’ll always look at those things and listen to coaches and clubs but there are no plans at the moment to make any changes.”
REVEALED: WHY GOORJ REBUFFED PHOENIX COACH INTEREST
Brian Goorjian has revealed he knocked back the chance to coach South East Melbourne as he braces for two fired up former Kings to return to the Harbour City with a point to prove.
On the eve of Friday’s clash with the Phoenix, Sydney’s coach told Crosscourt the Melbourne club sounded him out prior to Mike Kelly’s 2023 appointment.
The veteran mentor felt flattered, but “it didn’t feel right”, given the new franchise wasn’t the defunct Magic, where he won two championships.
“It was a gut feel and a lot of emotion and I just thought, ‘no’ and I think the whole South East Melbourne Magic thing played a role in my decision,” Goorjian said.
“One of my fondest times coaching was when I was with the Magic but it was also one of my hardest times when the club ceased.
“That brand, what we built there as the men in black and we don’t have a club.”
Goorjian is pleased to hear the Phoenix will wear Magic singlets when they take on the Cairns Taipans at home on December 7 and he wants the Phoenix to honour the Magic’s legacy.
“I think about the Magic a lot and it’s one of the things the NBL is doing a really good job of now is recognising the past and that had been sorely missing,” he said.
“I always felt that one of the lost pieces was the Magic.
“Melbourne became United and all the Tigers banners are up there … United hasn’t worked because you can’t have the Magic and the Tigers under the same umbrella.
“I really hope the Magic can fall under the Phoenix’s umbrella so my guys can have their banners and success recognised.”
Goorjian is expecting ex-Kings Angus Glover and Jordi Hunter to come out firing for the Phoenix, who have won four of their past five games since Kelly’s axing, in their returns to Sydney.
Goorjian met with both players, who endured ups and downs last season, when he arrived in Sydney – and gave them the chance to stay.
“But they were two guys who weren’t interested in coming back,” he said.
“When I came in I had a good conversation with both of them.
“They both felt it was time for a change.
“I don’t know what happened (with their exits), but there is nothing but a good feeling in my mind as far as they’re both concerned.
Hunter, now Phoenix co-captain said his first hitout against the club he spent five seasons at will be “strange, but in a good way”.
“It’ll be cool,” Hunter said.
“My prevailing thought is it’s going to be weird staying in a hotel in Homebush while I’m back in Sydney.
“There’s a lot of love for the guys on that team, so I’ve got to find my game face a little bit.”
Hunter confirmed Goorjian had spoken with him prior to his departure but, financially and for his professional and personal development, a move made too much sense.
Despite reports last season the Kings had made an early play for Adelaide big man Isaac Humphries, Hunter said he’d already made the decision to seek a new challenge — in either Asia or at another NBL club.
“They wanted me back and they were good about it but they didn’t want to give me the Asia outs that I was looking for in my contract,” he said.
“I respect that, but South East Melbourne was happy to do that, and part of me was definitely
willing and ready for a new challenge.
“A big piece of coming to Melbourne (was to) find a new ecosystem where I could expand who I am as a basketball player and challenge myself as a person.”
*Sydney Kings v South East Melbourne Phoenix, Qudos Bank Arena, Friday, 7.30pm AEDT
CLUBS KEEP US GUESSING ON INJURIES
Hiding the status of injured players has long-been been a tactic employed by professional sporting clubs.
But, with the advent of NBL SuperCoach and increased interest in player availability, some NBL clubs’ front offices are struggling to navigate the new world.
While some teams will be open and honest when asked about injured players, others close ranks.
Perth and Sydney have kept everyone guessing on injured star guards Bryce Cotton and Jaylen Adams.
The Wildcats, in the 18 days since Cotton went down on October 19, have maintained their star import is “day-to-day”, given the nature of the injury.
But Cotton, on Wednesday, told Ten News Perth: “I still think I’ve got at least a couple more weeks before I’m ready to play in a game.”
That suggests he’s unlikely to play against Tasmania or Melbourne United this round, with his next chance on November 15 against South East Melbourne.
One source said the 32-year-old would have final say on when his body was ready to return to action and would not take risks.
“The bone hasn’t gone back in and he’s likely going to have a protruding bone for the rest of his life,” the source said.
“He gets hit 40 times per game. He knows whether his body is going to be ready to withstand that.”
Coach Brian Goorjian feared Adams would struggle to have an impact on the team for an extended period of time. But he played in both of Sydney’s round seven games and has responded well to treatment, participating in a full training session on Tuesday.
Both clubs declined Crosscourt’s requests to interview their respective players.
‘NEVER IN THE FIGHT’: VICKERMAN ON HIS WORST LOSS AS A COACH
Dean Vickerman says Monday night’s shock 34-point home court hammering at the hands of New Zealand might be the worst loss he’s had as Melbourne United’s coach.
Vickerman promised a “brutal” review and pulled no punches when asked about the 113-79 train wreck — the biggest defeat in his decorated 339-game career.
“I don’t think we had anyone on our team perform at the highest level they need to win the game,” Vickerman said.
“Steamrolled from the start and never recovered.
“We just were never in the fight. I don’t think we won a five-minute period in the game.
“There was never a point that I thought, ‘here’s the comeback’, which we’ve been very good at in the past.
“I know how I’ve felt the last couple of days because of not being able to get back into the fight. Tough one to take as a competitor.”
Given United has remarkably won each of its past 14 regular season games coming off a loss, Vickerman is expecting a massive response against Brisbane Thursday.
“It’s who we’ve been and I love that about this club and this team, to say, if we do have a performance that’s below par, our bounce back has been outstanding,” Vickerman said.
“We all owned the review, coaches, players, everybody owned our own mistakes, and hopefully we just see a much better performance.”
Bullets’ coach Justin Schueller knows as well as anyone what might have unfolded at United this week — he spent six seasons as Vickerman’s assistant, winning two titles.
But he’s not poking the bear.
“Honestly, it’s cliche but all I care about is us right now,” Schueller said when asked if United’s big loss was a good thing or a bad thing for the 3-4 Bullets.
“Any team coming in off a loss is going to have a bit of a different edge about them and we’ve experienced that a few times this year.
“To me it’s just, can we get the four quarters we desire and we’re getting closer and closer to that level.”
STAR IMPORT COPS BAN FOR REF BLOW UP
American guard Rob Edwards has copped a suspension for blowing up at the referees, following Cairns’ 43-point demolition at the hands of Melbourne United, last Sunday week.
Basketball Australia’s integrity unit slapped Edwards with a two-game ban (one suspended) after an investigation found the 27-year-old’s “actions and comments towards referees” breached its code of conduct.
Both club and player accepted the ban.
A tired Edwards accumulated five fouls in under 20 minutes, producing just 5 points and three turnovers in the loss.
It’s another massive blow for the injury-hit Taipans, who are now set to play against South East Melbourne on Sunday without all three of their pre-season import signings.
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